Create an Online Portfolio for Your Comic Book Art

Whether you've just created the world's next great comic book character, or have an outstanding ability to draw the ones we've already got, there's only one way you're going to break into the comic book industry: having an impressive portfolio.

In the not-too-distant past, aspiring comic book artists had to painstakingly create physical portfolios that they’d lug from convention to convention, sometimes waiting in line for hours, hoping to catch the eyes of an intrigued editor. Over time, technology has made it much easier for artists to share their work with the world, allowing them to attract more potential patrons and publishers.

Showcasing your art online is a great way to get noticed, and it's easy to create a portfolio website even if you've never dabbled in Web design before. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Choosing a Website Builder

Website builders are designed to be intuitive and help you get up and running in a matter of minutes. You can use any of the popular website builders to create an attractive showroom for your favorite pieces. Many of the top platforms offer graphic design portfolio templates specifically crafted to shine a spotlight on your art, and there are even some comic book website templates available that could serve as the framework for your portfolio. Learn about the builders and how they compare with each other, then set up an account on the one that's right for you.

Selecting the Best Template for Your Portfolio

After selecting a platform, search for graphic design templates and comic book templates to get an idea of the various options available to you. Play around with the template examples to develop an understanding as to how they work and what distinguishes them from one another. Consider your options carefully, and choose a template that offers responsive design to ensure that the site looks stunning no matter what size screen it’s being viewed upon.

Adding Info and Images

After finding the perfect graphic design online portfolio template, it’s time to start filling your site with images and information. Since you’re an artist, anyone viewing your site is likely to take its aesthetics into consideration when evaluating your ability. This doesn’t mean that your site needs to be overly ornate or in-depth; it just needs to have a thoughtful design with a layout and color scheme that complement the tone of your work. Treat your website like an extension of yourself and a further representation of your artistic prowess.

Make sure your site is easy to navigate, and include examples of the different mediums you work with. Also include your contact information on each page, and add a short biography about your artistic history. Best practices also suggest that you should highlight pieces that employ sequential storytelling, and exhibit your range by including your comic characters in a variety of settings. Most importantly, you should only include your strongest pieces in your portfolio. If you spot some room for improvement in any of your work, either fix it or remove it completely.

Conclusion

The pervasiveness of design software paired with the rise of digital comics has all but assured that online portfolios are the new norm for artists looking to make their mark on the industry. A website portfolio is the perfect way to showcase your skills and get your name out there, and it certainly beats printing and shipping an oversized envelope full of costly paper and ink.

Michael Benninger

Michael is an expert copywriter from PACIFIC. He lives by the beach in San Diego and, in addition to writing about all things Internet for Top 10 Best, he enjoy movies, technology, and contributing to other print and online publications.

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